Cone holder

ABSTRACT

A device for simple and firmly positioning a yarn cone in a knitting machine, allowing rapid removal therefrom. A plurality of leaf springs are anchored around the head of a bolt-shaped member. The threaded portion of the neck carrier axially adjustable means receiving the free ends of the springs to change the compressive forces on them and vary the amount of bowing. This allows the device to accommodate a large number of different internal shapes and diameters of yarn cones.

United States Patent [151 3,659,803 Barski [4 1 May 2, 1972 541 CONE HOLDER 1,805,495 5/1931 McKean ..242/130.1 [72] Inventor: 3 352 2 3 f g Terrace sad- Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney-Meyer A. Gross [22] Filed: June 8,1970

App1.No.: 44,117

US. Cl ..242/l30.l, 242/139 Int. Cl. ..B65h 49/02, D03j 5/08 Field ofSearch ..242/129.5, 129.8, 130, 130.1,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 H1917 Macready ..242/1 30 [57] ABSTRACT A device for simple and firmly positioning a yarn cone in a knitting machine, allowing rapid removal therefrom. A plurality of leaf springs are anchored around the head of a boltshaped member. The threaded portion of the neck carrier axially adjustable means receiving the free ends of the springs to change the compressive forces on them and vary the amount of bowing. This allows the device to accommodate a large number of different internal shapes and diameters of yarn COHBS.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CONE HOLDER The present invention relates to cone holders, and in particular, to a new and improved cone holder which can receive a variety of yarn cones having different internal dimensions and shapes. While this invention has particular application in connection with knitting machines, the use is not limited thereto.

Previous devices to accomplish the above results generally consisted of a cylindrical sleeve placed over an upstanding rod, with an adjustable interior screw allowing the sleeve to be generally firmly secured to the rod. Extending outwardly from the sleeve are at least three prongs. Since the yarn is generally wound upon hollow cones or trunkated cones made of cardboard the cones are forced down until the prongs are wedged within the cardboard.

Since the prongs are not adjustable, the number of cones that can be secured thereto are very limited, and severely restricted by the length of the prongs. Furthermore, it is quite common for the prongs to become deeply imbedded in the cardboard, and if the retaining screw becomes slightly loose, removal of the cardboard support after the yarn has been used might, also lead to removal of the cone holder as well. This could lead to unnecessary and annoying delays in use of the knitting machines, pending the availability of additional units.

Accordingly, among the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved cone holder capable of receiving a variety of yarn cones in which the support may have different internal diameters.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described which will allow the accommodation of a variety of yarn cone supports having different internal shapes.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved yarn cone holder which essentially eliminates any lossage of units during the removal of the empty supports.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a yarn cone holder which will be simple and economical to manufacture and yet be durable to a high degree in use.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a cone holder comprising broadly a boltshaped member having an axial bore therethrough, receiving the support rod of the knitting machine. In the well-known manner a radial bore, for example, in the head portion of the bolt-shaped member may be threaded and may contain a set screw for adjustably bearing against the support rod for securement thereto.

The body portion of the support rod includes a smooth neck and a threaded portion having two oppositely disposed channels extending axially therealong. The head portion includes a series of channels for receiving a portion of a leaf spring. The leaf springs are anchored within the channels and extend substantially along the body portion of the member. The free ends of the leaf spring are received within an annular channel of an axial head which also has fingers received within channels on the threaded portion. A nut is placed over the axial head and allows adjustment along the threaded portion. This adjustment either increases or decreases the compressive forces in the leaf springs, causing them to bow outwardly or inwardly as desired. For a larger internal diameter yarn cone support, the nut is threaded so that the axial head moves inwardly towards the neck portion, causing the leaf springs to bow outwardly and increasing the effective diameter along the engagement portions of the engagement surfaces of the leaf springs. This adjustment feature allows for a greater variety of internal diameter cone supports as well as shapes, and in addition, allows the placement of a yarn cone at various axial positions, as desired.

The modified embodiment is a simpler, less expensive form of the present invention, consisting of a trunk member in the shape of a hexagonal nut, receiving the leaf springs, and not having any axial adjustment means. While this limits the number of difierent diameter and internally shaped cones which can be received and retained, it presents a decided improvement over the prior art, especially when a more economical unit is desired.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the cone holder embodying the present invention being loosely received within the yarn cone support of a yarn cone which is shown in crosssection;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with parts of the cone holder being shown in cross-section, and parts cut away, illustrating the movement of the axial adjustment means to cause the leaf springs to bow outwardly and engage the walls of the support;

FIG. 3, is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a cone holder 10 broadly comprising a boltshaped member 12, a plurality of leaf springs 14 and axial adjustment means 16.

More particularly, the bolt-shaped member 12 (FIG. 2) includes a head portion 18 and a body portion 20. The head portion includes a cylindrically shaped end section 22 defined at one end by a chamfered end surface 24 and a side wall 26. The sidewall contains a plurality of cuts 28 overlying channels 30.

Extending axially through the entire member 12 is a centrally positioned smooth bore 32. Passing radially inwardly of the section 22 from the wall 26 is a threaded bore 34 receiving a set screw 36. The bore 34 ends at the bore 32, the said screw being utilized for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Depending towards the body portion is an inclined annular shoulder section 38 defined by an outer surface 40.

The body portion 20 includes a neck section 42 defined by an outer surface 44, depending from the shoulder section 38, and terminating in a threaded section 46, with an end surface 48. Two axial channels 50 disposed 180 apart are cut into the threads of the section 46. The channels are defined by irregular side walls 52, 54 following the configurations of the threads and a bottom smooth surface 56 for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

A plurality of leaf springs 14 are securely mounted to the head portion 18 of the bolt-shaped member. The leaf springs consist of a flat portion 58 received within the channels 30 of the cutout 28, and a bow shaped portion 60 having an outer surface 62 and a contact area as defined within the limits 64. The ends 66 of the leaf springs are received within the axial means 16.

The axial means include a threaded nut 68 sized to be received upon the threaded section 46 of the member 12. Positioned inwardly of the nut is an axial head 70 abutting the side wall of the nut. The head has inwardly extending fingers 72 received within the channel 50. The head furthermore has defined therein an annular channel 74 with spaced depressions 76 receiving the free ends 66 of the leaf springs.

The holder 10 may be mounted upon a support rod 78. The unit is firmly secured to the support rod by tightening of the screw 36 until it contacts the rod within the bore 32. A yarn cone 80 having a standard yam support 82. As shown in FIG. 1 the yarn cone fits loosely over the holder 10 at the desired positioning location. Accordingly, the nut 68 is turned, forcing the head 70 to move axially inwardly along the threaded section 46. This causes increased compressive forces to be exerted upon the leaf springs 14, causing the bow portion 62 to bow even more, ultimately resulting in the contact of the outer surface 62 with the support 82 along a substantial area 64 of the spring. Since the support is usually made of a pliable material, such as cardboard, the springs deform the supports slightly insuring a firm grip thereon.

Needless to say, different size yarn cones, having supports of difi'erent internal diameters or different shapes, can be accommodated by adjustment of the bowing of the leaf springs as discussed above. Furthermore, the position of a single cone may itself be varied depending upon the adjustment of the axial means 16.

Turning to FIG. 4, there is shown a modified embodiment of the present invention for construction of a cone holder of more limited use,-but more economical construction. Like elements will be designated by like numerals with the addition of the prefix numeral 1. In this embodiment the support unit is in the shape of an hexagonal nut having channels 130 receiving the flat portions 158 of the leaf springs 114. The bore 132 receives the support rod 78 from the knitting machine, and may be firmly secured thereto by means of the said screw 136. There are no axial adjustment means in this embodiment. Accordingly, the springs are also somewhat more bowed than in the main embodiment, and the structure can accommodate a significant selection of various sized internal diameters and shapes of yarn cone supports. However, since there is no axial adjustment means, the selection is not as broad as is possible in the main embodiment, however, the unit is less expensive to produce, and accordingly is of commercial value.

While the invention has been discussed in terms of its use for holding yarn cones for knitting machines, it is obvious that the invention is also able to be utilized in any environment where an element is desired to be firmly yet temporarily maintained in a position.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes, and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for maintaining a yarn cone on a knitting machine support rod, comprising:

a. a support member secured to the rod;

b. means for yieldably engaging the interior of the yarn cone and allowing rapid removal therefrom, as desired; and

c. axial adjustment means for incrementally varying the compressive forces upon the yieldable engagement means, to allow the holder to accommodate a larger variety of internal shapes and diameters of yarn cones.

2. The invention according to claim 1, the yieldable means comprising at least one bow-shaped leaf spring secured to the support member and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom.

3. The invention according to claim 2, at least three bowshaped leaf springs being secured to the support member, the support member having means for detachably securing the holder to the support rod.

4. The invention according to claim 1, the yieldable means including at least one bow-shaped leaf spring secured to the support member.

5. The invention according to claim 4, the yieldable means including at least three bow-shaped leaf springs, the leaf springs having ends, the axial adjustment means including an axial head, the head, the support member including a body portion, the axial head moving axially along said body portion, and having means to receive the ends of the leaf springs.

6. The invention according to claim 5, the body portion having a threaded section, two axial channels defined within the threaded section, at least one finger secured to the axial head, the finger received within one of the channels to facilitate axial movement of the head along the body portion, a nut vertically engaging the threaded section of the body portion and directly causing axial movement of the head therealong, thus varying the compressive forces on the leaf spring and varying the degree of bowing of the springs.

7. The invention according to claim 6, the support means including a head portion in addition to the body portion, and secured thereto, and internal axial bore being defined therein, and receiving the support rod, means for detachably securing the holder to the support rod, the head having axial channels defined therein, the leaf springs having a flat portion received within the head channels. 

1. A holder for maintaining a yarn cone on a knitting machine support rod, comprising: a. a support member secured to the rod; b. means for yieldably engaging the interior of the yarn cone and allowing rapid removal therefrom, as desired; and c. axial adjustment means for incrementally varying the compressive forces upon the yieldable engagement means, to allow the holder to accommodate a larger variety of internal shapes and diameters of yarn cones.
 2. The invention according to claim 1, the yieldable means comprising at least one bow-shaped leaf spring secured to the support member and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom.
 3. The invention according to claim 2, at least three bow-shaped leaf springs being secured to the support member, the support member having means for detachably securing the holder to the support rod.
 4. The invention according to claim 1, the yieldable means including at least one bow-shaped leaf spring secured to the support member.
 5. The invention according to claim 4, the yieldable means inclUding at least three bow-shaped leaf springs, the leaf springs having ends, the axial adjustment means including an axial head, the head, the support member including a body portion, the axial head moving axially along said body portion, and having means to receive the ends of the leaf springs.
 6. The invention according to claim 5, the body portion having a threaded section, two axial channels defined within the threaded section, at least one finger secured to the axial head, the finger received within one of the channels to facilitate axial movement of the head along the body portion, a nut vertically engaging the threaded section of the body portion and directly causing axial movement of the head therealong, thus varying the compressive forces on the leaf spring and varying the degree of bowing of the springs.
 7. The invention according to claim 6, the support means including a head portion in addition to the body portion, and secured thereto, and internal axial bore being defined therein, and receiving the support rod, means for detachably securing the holder to the support rod, the head having axial channels defined therein, the leaf springs having a flat portion received within the head channels. 